CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Eternal Life is the glorious gift mentioned in the Text, and though I was concluding this verse, yet the consideration of this glorious matter shall make me once more endeavour throughly to possess your hearts therewith. It was the fault of one of the Kings of Israel that he did not strike arrows often enough to the ground, 2 King. 13.19. for then he should have obtained more victories. It shall therefore be my endeavour, if possible, that the arrows of this truth may be stricken often even through and through your hearts. And that I may further quicken you hereunto, consider these particulars, as so many effectual conclusions upon this subject.

ETernall Life is the glorious gift mentioned in the Text, and though I was concluding this verse, yet the consideration of this glorious matter shall make me once more endeavour throughly to possess your hearts therewith. It was the fault of one of the Kings of Israel that he did not strike arrows often enough to the ground, 2 King. 13.19. for then he should have obtained more victories. It shall therefore be my endeavour, if possible, that the arrows of this truth may be stricken often even through and through your hearts. And that I may further quicken you hereunto, consider these particulars, as so many effectuall conclusions upon this subject.

And first,¹ The chief and most principal and necessary question which every one should seriously propound, ought to be that Luk. 18.18. What shall I do to inherit eternal life? Not indeed upon such a corrupt opinion as he did, who thought by his own works merely to obtain this eternal life; No, that cannot be, it's the gift of God: and when we have done all, this eternal life is of grace, not merit, but in a right sense, viz. what way ought we to walk in, what is to be done that at last we may not eternally perish. This (I say) is a most noble and necessary question, if this were more studied and practised, it would advantage the soul ten thousand times more then other unnecessary and impertinent disputations. The best method in moral Philosophy is to begin first with the end, because that is the chiefest, there must be first a knowledge and desire of that: Now all Divinity agreeth with moral Philosophy in this, it's wholly practical. The first thing then in your thoughts and meditations should be, What is that end for which I was made? how may I obtain that eternal life for